Caravan I've bid on what do people think

[Mickyboy]

I've seen a caravan on eBay item number 331772754439 what do people think it's worth, I have never had a caravan before, noticed a tourer towing it, and I've bid on it but unsure of its value

Any ideas or tips would be appreciated
Thanks in advance mick

[vindaloo]

Here is the eBay link

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/331772754439

[planenut]

Do you want it, if so, then it's what you want to pay for it. Because it is a caravan, no engine, no mileage to concern, it's a condition and usefulness position for you.

Why don't you go and look at it?

With that much bid with still 5 days to go, I would say it will sell for about 2500, but you have to decide.

[scorpio]

If you can view it would be better, he says both sides resprayed but he doesn't say why. that could be many reasons but the big one could be damp, check the floor for de-lamination (bouncy)as that is where most vans go first.

I will probably go for near 2k so for that amount I would have to view it

[suzublu]

Moved to a better forum for coverage

[scorpio]

Another thing it might just be a typo but Avondale only did the harrier for one year and that was 1999

[Darcydog]

Avondale caravans are usually good buys if they have been maintained well. There is the obvious issue of the broken outer window skin but that is not an insurmountable issue tho' do remember that these windows are horrendously expensive to buy new replacements for. So best to search round for one from a breaker.

The good thing about Avondales is that the roof is one piece - whereas many caravans have joins in the roof - therefore potential leak areas - the Avondales had roofs like upturned boats. So all you have to do is to check where the side panels join - and that is an easy job to update the sealant on - We did our Avondale Leda Mendip over a nice hot summer weekend. (Obviously not a job to do in the wet ) - but this roof structure is a real bonus compared to other manufacturers.

The great thing I notice is the layout. There is a nice breakfast bar to eat and have a cuppa/wine/beer at. We found this layout works well as we could leave the bed down so no hassle of making it up each night. For us sitting out in the awning was the real pleasure - and simply getting up and crawling into a ready made bed made up for any lack of lounge space in the caravan.

If you do get it - it would pay to remove the awning rails and the window rails, clean them up and refit with a modern sealant (NOT SILICONE!!) and stainless screws.

That way you can ensure it is leakproof for years. Then you can buy a nice new plastic strip to slide into the awning rail that covers the screws and that alone transforms the look of the caravan.

If you haven't done any of this before - it is easy - very satisfying - and inexpensive.

As others have said - watch for a delaminated floor - spongy. If it is not too bad - this can be fixed by simply drilling holes in the underside of the floor and injecting an epoxy resin to firm up the delaminated bit. What happens is the floor is a sandwich of ply and hard polystyrene. The Polystyrene can crumble over time where people walk. So again - a fairly easy fix.

But - if a strong smell of damp/mould when you sniff - best to walk away.

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by scorpio

Another thing it might just be a typo but Avondale only did the harrier for one year and that was 1999

Not trying to be clever - but it was made from 1993 to 1999.

http://www.gocaravanning.com/caravan...avan-Data.html

There was a bunk bed system in the breakfast bar so it was a 4 berth and that was only an option in its last year so it was listed as a 3 berth in 1999.

[Tin Tent]

Looks like offside skin has delaminated you can see its all wavy i would say it's had a leak wood will almost certainly be rotten you can see what looks like screws on the outside. Myself i would look for one in better condition, like already said best to view as damps a killer also check tyres they most often rot before wearing out.

[reworht]

Originally Posted by Tin Tent

Looks like offside skin has delaminated you can see its all wavy i would say it's had a leak wood will almost certainly be rotten you can see what looks like screws on the outside. Myself i would look for one in better condition, like already said best to view as damps a killer also check tyres they most often rot before wearing out.

I agree - definitely the offside looks iffy; if it is going to head for the £2,000 region, I reckon you could probably do better for the money. Certainly, I would want a really close look at it - and take a damp meter too.